Sources close to Rep. Jackson, Jr. told CNN Tuesday that the Illinois congressman has supplied information regarding Gov. Blagojevich to federal law enforcement officials since 2006.

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (CNN) - Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. - who was cited in a criminal complaint against Rod Blagojevich - has been an informant for at least a decade with the U.S. Attorney's office, and has informed on the embattled governor of Illinois, though not in the case currently under investigation, Jackson spokesman Kenneth Edmonds told CNN Tuesday.

In addition, two sources close to Jackson told CNN that, in 2002, Blagojevich - then running for governor of Illinois - solicited a $25,000 campaign donation from Jackson, which he did not get.

At the time, Jackson's wife, Sandi, was a candidate for the job of director of the state's Lottery Commission, a post she did not win, the sources said.

After Blagojevich took office, in early 2003, he told Jackson something to the effect of, "You see what $25,000 would have done?" the sources said.

In 2006, Jackson reported the incident, which he believed to have been an attempt at a shakedown, the sources said.

The report, the sources said, came three three years later because Jackson's memory was jogged by another case - that of developer Tony Rezko, whose fraud and corruption trial included testimony about $25,000 donations to Blagojevich.

Jackson did not endorse Blagojevich in his initial campaign and tried to stay on the sidelines during the governor's re-election bid, one of the sources said.

I'm not surprised, I felt all along that there was something wrong or missing everytime I heard Jesse Jr speak.

I still need to digest it though, as I'm not too sure how I feel about an Informer. Does that make him a good person or a non trustworthy person? How will his fellow state senators view him now I wonder?

December 16, 2008 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

Nate

This is stunning evidence that he has been very truthful about what he has been saying.

He's not following in his father's footsteps but is really making his own way as an honest politician out to change things for the better.

God Bless him and hopefully people will allow him to continue serving in even greater capacity as we rid ourselves of these despicable folks like Blagojevich.

The media is going to have to do one hell of a cleanup job for JJ Jr. to make up for all that they've made people believe over the past couple of weeks.

December 16, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

Iowa Mom

Very interesting...

December 16, 2008 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

Amber

Three cheers for Jesse Jackson the Younger!!

It takes a very smart, humble, and brave individual to act as an informant and whistleblower in the face of slimeball corruption.

Well done, sir!!

December 16, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |

Look ALIVE!

Good for him! We need more oversite of what goes on in politics behind closed doors. People get the sense of being above the law. Look at the current administration! Politicians work FOR the American people, NOT for their OWN special interests! Let's take back America while we CHANGE other things!

December 16, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

Danko Ramone

Man, that's gonna KILL Republican's hate towards him and black politicians as a whole. Let's hope for their sake he was claiming Blagowhatever was a swell guy with good breath.

http://www.BusterGetMyPills.com

December 16, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

Matt

Jesse Jackson Jr. is a snitch as well. That should do wonders for his reputation amongst his community.

December 16, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

obamafanintennessee

I had faith in Jesse, look for a future presidential run here~!!!!!!

December 16, 2008 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

Rick

I see where someone burned down Sara Palin's church. Nice people, you democrats.

December 16, 2008 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

MD

Talk about spin. From one making an offer to buy to one providing information. I wonder what the real truth is here.

December 16, 2008 05:31 pm at 5:31 pm |

Bob

Do do all the people who called Jackson Jr names and guilty before any facts were known which to starting recanting? There are two ways to deal with a father like Jesse Jackson who puts his foot in his mouth yet preaches the ways of the Bible. Either learn by example or listen to his words. The folks I know still think Jackson Jr is about has straight laced as anybody in Washington.

December 16, 2008 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |

JD

Wow–Does this mean the end of his political career. Who will Trust Him after this discovery. This is a very sad day for this promising young man.

December 16, 2008 05:33 pm at 5:33 pm |

Texas Teacher

Are we being told that JJ, Jr. was a secret agent man? *LOL* I'm a democrat, but I smell good ole boys politics here.:)

December 16, 2008 05:33 pm at 5:33 pm |

rich

Interesting turn of events. Now what do the haters have to say who were intent on dragging this mans name thru the mud? If this new development is true, it would have been highly unlikely that as an informant for the FEDS that he was about to pay to play. But we all know how the media is, dirtying up peoples name to make a dollar.

December 16, 2008 05:34 pm at 5:34 pm |

John

I don't think RATS are thought of too highly in Chicago. I wonder the effect it will have on the Congressman's long term career, let alone this Senate seat.

December 16, 2008 05:34 pm at 5:34 pm |

Misante Jones

Oh my God aren't they putting his life in jeopardy by divulging this information?? I mean, he may have shared information with the AG that could land some people in jail for a long, long, time. Now people know he was the whistleblower. That can't be good.

December 16, 2008 05:34 pm at 5:34 pm |

Anonymous

wow what is this?

December 16, 2008 05:35 pm at 5:35 pm |

Chi Town

Wow...
I'm waiting for the FBI to say so... but if so... WOW... a lot of people not sleeping well in Chicago right now...

December 16, 2008 05:37 pm at 5:37 pm |

StacyGA

Many people are so quick to judge others and simply want to believe the worst, even with evidence to the contrary. I think the MSM has done a disservice to us all by purposely seeking to smear instead of reporting facts. Sensationalism over Journalism, but many people are too hateful, gullible, or ignorant to see it. JJ Jr. never did anything wrong yet people were so quick to jump all over this because of hatred of his father. What a shame. JJ Jr. reputation as an honest politician with the utmost integrity has been above reproach, until the powers that be decided to rake him through the coals for the sake of headlines. What a shame.

December 16, 2008 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |

Ricky

The media help destroy a political career by jumping the gun.....

December 16, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |

Leslie Somerville

Praise God for people like Jesse Jr.

December 16, 2008 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |

Mari

GOOD! When someone is talking to you, about something illegal .......especially about selling a senate seat... you MUST do the right thing and bring the criminal down!

Good for Jackson! As hard as it was, I admire his courage in doing the right thing!